Pope Francis landed at Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain at 4:40pm local time. He greeted King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a wheelchair. They shared a few jokes with each other.
Pope Francis was then escorted by car to the Sakhir Royal Palace amid chants of a group of military men.
Soliders on horseback also accompanied the Pope on his journey to the Royal Palace. Once he arrived, the Pope spoke to civil authorities. He praised one of the national symbols of Bahrain— the tree of life. It can survive in the desert due to its deep roots, which help it find water. The Pope calls this water of life man's encounters with others.
POPE FRANCIS
Here is the life-giving water from which the roots of Bahrain still draw, whose greatest wealth shines in its ethnic and cultural diversity, peaceful coexistence and traditional hospitality towards others.
Pope Francis said that the tree in the desert also serves as food for the creatures around it. This is man's vocation: to sustain life, which requires being opposed to war.
POPE FRANCIS
In war, the worst side of man emerges: selfishness, violence and lies. Yes, because war, every war, also represents the death of truth. Let us reject the rationale of weapons and change direction, turning large military spending into investments to fight hunger, lack of health care and education.
The Pope also remembered Yemen. He said that the country is suffering from a forgotten war. He also referred to the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which considers faith 'as a blessing for the human being.'
POPE FRANCIS
I am here as a believer, as a Christian, as a man and a pilgrim of peace, because today as never before we are called, everywhere, to make a serious commitment to peace.
Pope Francis left the palace accompanied by a brass band as several girls threw flowers.
RM
TR: KG
